FC United let a half-time lead slip as they went down 3-1 at Colwyn Bay on Tuesday night in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Mike Norton got the Reds off to the perfect start by breaking the deadlock inside 10 minutes, however the hosts hit back with three goals in the final half hour to claim victory.

Colwyn Bay took revenge for their FA Trophy defeat at Gigg Lane a couple of weeks ago by running out comfortable winners at Llanelian Road on a cool breezy night.

The Reds started quite brightly with Richard Battersby playing a dangerous ball into the box on two minutes and Carlos Roca lobbing a ball just wide three minutes later. It was no surprise that FC took the lead on nine minutes, with a header from Norton after some fantastic work on the left wing by Jerome Wright.

The goal spurred the home side into action as they started to take a hold of the game, Evans turning in the box and firing wide on 24 minutes and McMahon scooping the ball wide from 12 yards soon afterwards.

FC United were finding it difficult to attack with any great purpose, especially against a strong and solid Bay defence and it was The Bay who came close again with skipper Allen firing over after some great football.

United goalkeeper Sam Ashton had to be alert five minutes before the break when a long ball over the top beat the defence and seemed to play in Evans, but Ashton headed the ball to safety from outside of his box.

The Bay should have drawn level just on half time, when a mistake from Battersby in the middle of the pitch played in Allen who ran the full length of the FC half, only to screw his shot wide with only Ashton to beat.

The second half started slowly from both sides, with passes going astray and not much in the way of goalmouth action. The home side did draw level on the hour when a ball over top played in ex Liverpool striker Newby who beat the offside trap and rolled the ball past Ashton into the bottom corner of the net.

The game got worse fir the Reds six minutes later when the defence failed to deal with a throw from the right, the ball working its way to the edge of the box where Allen was waiting to poke the ball into the net.

It took just six more minutes for the game to be finished when a ball forward was missed by Karl Munroe to allow Noon to run clear, round Ashton and slot the ball home.

And it nearly got worse. The Welsh hosts could have extended their lead even more on 78 minutes, Noon planting a free header against the post.

There were a couple of half chances for FC United, both coming from substitute Matthew Wolfenden who had an overhead kick wide and a powerful shot blocked.

However, overall this wasn’t a good performance from an FC United side who need to pick up their game if they are to progress in the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday when Hinckley visit Gigg Lane.

Report by Steven Wood.

Match Report

FC United let a half-time lead slip as they went down 3-1 at Colwyn Bay on Tuesday night in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Mike Norton got the Reds off to the perfect start by breaking the deadlock inside 10 minutes, however the hosts hit back with three goals in the final half hour to claim victory.

Colwyn Bay took revenge for their FA Trophy defeat at Gigg Lane a couple of weeks ago by running out comfortable winners at Llanelian Road on a cool breezy night.

The Reds started quite brightly with Richard Battersby playing a dangerous ball into the box on two minutes and Carlos Roca lobbing a ball just wide three minutes later. It was no surprise that FC took the lead on nine minutes, with a header from Norton after some fantastic work on the left wing by Jerome Wright.

The goal spurred the home side into action as they started to take a hold of the game, Evans turning in the box and firing wide on 24 minutes and McMahon scooping the ball wide from 12 yards soon afterwards.

FC United were finding it difficult to attack with any great purpose, especially against a strong and solid Bay defence and it was The Bay who came close again with skipper Allen firing over after some great football.

United goalkeeper Sam Ashton had to be alert five minutes before the break when a long ball over the top beat the defence and seemed to play in Evans, but Ashton headed the ball to safety from outside of his box.

The Bay should have drawn level just on half time, when a mistake from Battersby in the middle of the pitch played in Allen who ran the full length of the FC half, only to screw his shot wide with only Ashton to beat.

The second half started slowly from both sides, with passes going astray and not much in the way of goalmouth action. The home side did draw level on the hour when a ball over top played in ex Liverpool striker Newby who beat the offside trap and rolled the ball past Ashton into the bottom corner of the net.

The game got worse fir the Reds six minutes later when the defence failed to deal with a throw from the right, the ball working its way to the edge of the box where Allen was waiting to poke the ball into the net.

It took just six more minutes for the game to be finished when a ball forward was missed by Karl Munroe to allow Noon to run clear, round Ashton and slot the ball home.

And it nearly got worse. The Welsh hosts could have extended their lead even more on 78 minutes, Noon planting a free header against the post.

There were a couple of half chances for FC United, both coming from substitute Matthew Wolfenden who had an overhead kick wide and a powerful shot blocked.

However, overall this wasn’t a good performance from an FC United side who need to pick up their game if they are to progress in the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday when Hinckley visit Gigg Lane.